Written Answers Nos. 134-148
134. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the funding that is being provided to Local Authorities to support the management of the derelict sites register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28972/26]
View answerWorking to end dereliction and vacancy is a key priority in the Government's housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities with a number of specific actions aimed to further support existing and ongoing measures to reduce dereliction. The Plan will ensure that the activities and resources used to address vacancy and dereliction are co-ordinated, and that legislative powers are used proactively to work to bring dereliction and vacancy to an end.
Resources to ensure a focus on tackling dereliction within local authorities have been provided by the Government through the funding of dedicated Vacant Homes Officers (VHOs) and Town Regeneration Officers (TROs) who are working in the relevant dereliction and regeneration teams to ensure a planned and proactive approach is taken. There are existing national forums established for these local authority officers operated by the Housing Agency for Vacant Homes Officers and by the Town Centre First National Office for Town Regeneration Officers.
My Department is currently working on a number of measures to increase staffing levels in the local government sector. In this regard, my Department is collaborating with the Local Government Management Agency on the delivery of a programme of supports to planning authorities. These supports include the provision of staffing resources and expertise to enable planning authorities to perform their functions efficiently and effectively, including through the implementation of the Ministerial Action Plan on Planning Resources.
My Department is also engaging with the local authorities on the implementation of Delivering Homes, Building Communities, including the increased focus on measures to tackle dereliction and the support arrangements for greater coordination of local authority staff and resources for this purpose.
135. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on plans to introduce a passport for social housing tenants and applicants who have experienced domestic abuse in order that they can seek support immediately from a new local authority if they need to move for safety reasons and can keep their years on the housing waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28976/26]
View answerSupporting individuals and families experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, including victims and survivors of domestic abuse, is a priority for my Department and the Government. The response to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross-Departmental and multi-agency issue, with overall policy coordinated by the Department of Justice. Responsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims rests with my colleague the Minister for Justice working in conjunction with Cuan, the statutory DSGBV agency under the remit of the Department of Justice.
Currently, is not possible for a household previously on one social housing waiting list to carry the time spent on that list when applying to another local authority. However, and in line with a commitment in the housing plan, a protocol to allow households fleeing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence to transfer time spent on a social housing waiting list to another local authority will be established and implemented this year.
My Department has already engaged with local authorities and the County and City Management Association (CCMA) to develop this protocol. The structures to progress this commitment are in place, including a dedicated group of local authority Directors of Housing that is working with my Department to ensure that the protocol is workable, meets the needs of those who can benefit from it, and is finalised as soon as possible.
Notwithstanding this commitment, local authorities will prioritise allocations to those households they consider to be most in need at any moment in time. Local authorities may also provide for exceptional or emergency cases to qualified households, allowing immediate housing outside of normal waiting lists priorities, should circumstances require. Households may also move and relocate between housing authority areas under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme where the household income is within the relevant income limits.
136. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for designating urban development zones; the timeframe for such plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29172/26]
View answerCircular 2025/01 notified planning authorities and other key stakeholders of the commencement of Chapters 1 and 2 of Part 22 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 (Act of 2024) by way of the Planning and Development Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 239 of 2025) coming into effect from 9th June 2025. These provisions set out the initial steps available to planning authorities in a broader process concerning the designation of a candidate ‘urban development zone’ or ‘UDZ’.
Section 597 of the Act of 2024 provides that a planning authority may identify sites in its functional areas where development may be of significant economic, social or environmental benefit to the State and be in the common good. Such sites are referred to as “suitable sites”.
While no local authority has made a request for UDZ designation to date, my Department continues to engage with local authorities in relation to the identification of ‘suitable sites’. Commencement of further provisions within Part 22 and amendment to Part 6 are necessary to allow for progression of the broader UDZ statutory process, including public consultation and environmental assessment. These new legislative provisions will provide for an updated and more flexible approach to the masterplanning and delivery of areas with significant potential for large-scale development and the associated necessary infrastructure, replacing the provisions providing for the Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) process under Part IX of the Planning & Development Act, 2000.
The identification of potential UDZs (and other areas of significant growth) will also be informed by the establishment of a New Urban Communities Taskforce, as set out in the new Government housing action plan ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The Taskforce will provide a dedicated focus to the identification of locations for the delivery of housing growth at scale and will work with the newly established Housing Activation Office and infrastructure providers to evaluate and prioritise the infrastructural needs of these areas. The Taskforce will report on progress to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, who will also liaise with the Housing Activation Delivery Group and Housing Activation Industry Group.
137. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans and timeframe to review housing supply targets arising from Census 2027 plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29173/26]
View answerHousing supply targets were provided to local authorities in connection with Ministerial Guidelines issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, following the initial publication of the National Planning Framework (NPF) in 2018.
The revised National Planning Framework (NPF) was approved by Government and both Houses of the Oireachtas in April 2025 and to ensure that local authority development plans reflect the requirements of the NPF in respect of housing as soon as possible, I issued the NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements Guidelines under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 in July 2025.
These Guidelines, which replaced the previous Guidelines and ‘housing supply targets’, set out the housing demand scenario to 2040 for each local authority by translating the NPF housing requirements into average annual figures and require planning authorities to commence the process of varying their development plan to meet the new housing growth requirements.
Planning authorities are currently undertaking a review of the adequacy of existing zoned lands in their functional area and a process of development plan variations to cater for the new Housing Growth Requirements and the potential for ‘additional provision’.
The Planning and Development Act 2024 (‘the Act’), Part 3 of which was commenced in October 2025, includes a provision which ties the NPF review process to the census cycle, with the requirement that the NPF review follows the publication of the final results of the census:
Section 22 (2) of the Act states that “Each review shall be completed before the expiry of a period of 2 years, which period shall begin on the date of publication, by the Central Statistics Office, of the final results of the second occurrence of a census of population of the State held after the completion, in accordance with subsection (6), of the previous review.”
Following the publication of the final results of Census 2027, there will an opportunity to evaluate and consider a review of the National Planning Framework, including any associated updated housing requirements, in accordance with section 22 of the Act.
138. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans and timeframe to transition to new ten-year development plans; if he has considered synchronising all plans to start from 2029 to ensure a common evidence basis plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29174/26]
View answer139. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29184/26]
View answerIn line with commitments in the Programme for Government 2025, my Department is working with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE), which holds policy responsibility for renewable energy matters, in respect of the introduction of a number of National Planning Statements related to Ireland's Climate Action Plan target to increase the share of electricity generated from renewable sources up to 80% in 2030. This includes the preparation of National Planning Statements in relation to onshore wind energy development, following a review of the existing 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines.
Further to the commencement of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 on 2 October 2025, provisions for National Planning Statements have been introduced to replace the provisions for Ministerial guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. All existing Section 28 guidelines will, over time, be revoked and replaced with new National Planning Statements. Any current section 28 guidelines will however remain in force until revoked or replaced by a corresponding National Planning Statement. The timing of the issuing of National Planning Statements will be based on Government priorities.
In respect of sectoral national planning statements in particular, such as the onshore wind energy development, there is also an important role for the relevant policy Department in collaborating with my Department on the development of these National Planning Statements. In that context, my Department is working closely with the DCEE as the Department with policy responsibility for this area of Government policy in order to identify the component factors relevant to the preparation of this National Planning Statement, including any appropriate environmental reporting and public consultation requirements, European obligations such as the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), and considerations such as setback distances, noise and flicker.
A focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines has been taken as part of the development the National Planning Statement on Wind Energy under the Planning and Development Act 2024. It will address key matters including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
In the interim, the current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force.
In line with EU Directive requirements, a strategic environmental assessment will be carried out on any draft National Planning Statement regarding wind energy development, with opportunity for consultation by the public and all stakeholders on the draft National Planning Statement.
140. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when his Department will finalise and publish the guidelines for local authorities on the provision of allotments and community gardens, referenced in previous departmental replies as being progressed "as soon as is practical"; to provide the specific publication quarter now targeted; to outline the reasons for the delay to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29203/26]
View answer141. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of all meetings held by his Department in the preparation of the forthcoming guidelines for local authorities on allotments and community gardens, to include the date of each meeting, the attendees, and the matters discussed, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29204/26]
View answer142. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will list all external stakeholders, representative bodies, local authorities, State agencies and NGOs that have been consulted by his Department in the development of the forthcoming allotment and community garden guidelines; to indicate whether a formal public consultation is planned prior to finalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29205/26]
View answer143. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will examine the introduction of statutory per capita targets for the provision of allotments and community gardens by local authorities, having regard to comparator jurisdictions such as Denmark where approximately 50,000 plots are provided for a population of similar size; if such targets will be included in the forthcoming guidelines or in a National Planning Statement under the Planning and Development Act 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29207/26]
View answer144. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department has taken and will take, to ensure that planning authorities give effect to the requirement under the Planning and Development Act 2024 to reserve land for use and cultivation as allotments and prescribed community gardens within their development plan sustainable-places strategies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29208/26]
View answerPart 3, Chapter 5 ‘Development Plans’ of the Planning and Development Act 2024 commenced on 31st December 2025. When preparing a development plan planning authorities are required to prepare a strategy relating to creation, improvement and preservation of sustainable places and communities within their development plans. This includes the reservation of land for use and cultivation as allotments and prescribed community gardens and the regulation, promotion, facilitation or control of the provision of land for that use.
The provision and form of public open space is further addressed the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines, issued as Ministerial Guidelines under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act (as amended) in January 2024. The Guidelines state that all statutory development plans should include a strategy for the provision of an integrated hierarchy of multifunctional public open spaces and corridors across the plan area that meet the needs of the planned population.
The Guidelines state that public open spaces should be designed to cater for a range of active and passive recreational needs (including play, physical activity, active travel, cultural uses and community gardens and allotments, as appropriate to the context) and to conserve and restore nature and biodiversity. The Guidelines further provide that statutory development include an objective(s) relating to the provision of public open space in new residential developments with a requirement in the development plan for public open space provision of not less than a minimum of 10% of net site area and not more than a minimum of 15% of net site area save in exceptional circumstances.
These instruments enable local authorities to identify locations in development plans for allotment development, and to establish allotments as a part of local government’s role in promoting the interests of local communities.
Further guidance for local authorities on the provision of allotments and community gardens will be progressed in due course, having regard to the priorities, work programme and commitments of my Department.
145. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in reinstating a carer's allowance payment for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal that ceased in February 2026; if it can be reinstated immediately considering requested information and documentary evidence was submitted to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28787/26]
View answerCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
CA was in payment to the person concerned from 19 December 2019.
The person concerned notified the Department on 10 November 2025 that they had changed address and they would send confirmation of their new address to the Department. However, as the person concerned failed to supply details of their new address, their claim was suspended from 04 March 2026.
Following receipt of the requested information on 19 March 2026 and following re-examination of the claim, CA has been reinstated with effect from 05 March 2026. Payment will issue to the person's nominated bank account on 23 April 2026 and any arrears due will issue as soon as possible.
The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 20 April 2026.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
146. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any data is available on the number of recipients of carer’s allowance in Dublin west, broken down per LEA, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28804/26]
View answerCarer’s Allowance is a payment for people on low incomes who are caring for a person who needs full-time care and attention because of age, disability, or illness.
At the end of March 2026, the total number of recipients of Carer's Allowance was 106,286. My Department does not have data on electoral areas.
The total number of recipients for Dublin at the end of March 2026 was 23,432.
147. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide details of the number of legal actions against his Department that have been resolved without going to court in line with the 2023 State Litigation Principles; if his Department is fully applying the State Litigation Principles in seeking to resolve any current or outstanding legal actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28842/26]
View answerOn the 21st June 2023 the Government announced the approval of the adoption of State Litigation Principles to serve as guidelines in the conduct of litigation by the State. The 15 litigation principles were drawn up by the Attorney General following consultations with senior legal staff in his office on the advisory side, in the Chief State Solicitor’s office and in the State Claims Agency. These Principles clearly articulated standards for the State and its lawyers in the conduct of legal proceedings. They marked a codification and public statement of best practice in the State’s conduct of litigation. At the time the Attorney General stressed that the Principles were not intended to radically change how the State conducts litigation as many of these Principles were already applied on a daily basis by the officials and lawyers charged with managing litigation on the State’s behalf. That fully reflects the position of my Department both before and after the introduction of the State Litigation Principles.
My Department seeks in all litigation against it to fully apply the State Litigation Principles and avails of the services of the Attorney General's Office, the Chief State Solicitor’s Office and the State Claims Agency in terms of the provision of legal advice and representation of the Department in court cases.
Legal Actions taken against the Department of Social Protection encompass a variety of matters including judicial reviews, statutory appeals, constitutional actions, plenary matters, employment law actions, equal status actions and personal injury actions.
As the Deputy will be aware, legal actions may be resolved in a variety of ways. These can include alternative dispute resolution, negotiated outcome, struck out, withdrawn, or for other reasons a legal action might not proceed to a full hearing. The resolution of legal actions is not limited to the proceedings being won, lost or settled. Resolution of proceedings may necessitate exchange of pleadings and number of appearances at mention dates in court even if the legal action is ultimately resolved without a full court hearing. The proceedings may be contested, and partly won or partly lost or entirely settled. The proceedings may be withdrawn by the applicant of their own volition before the case runs or on foot of an agreement between the parties. The proceedings may have become moot. Accordingly, the number and nature of possible resolutions to a legal action without going to court do not allow for a reliable figure to be provided with regard to those outcomes.
I can assure the Deputy that all legal actions are dealt with in accordance with all the State Litigation Principles. For the assistance of the Deputy, I include the figures of the number of Departmental litigation files opened referencing legal actions commenced against the Department since the State Litigation Principles were adopted:
|
Year |
Number of Departmental Litigation files referencing Legal Actions commenced against the Department of Social Protection since the introduction of the State Litigation Principles |
|
21st June 2023 to end of 2023 |
35 |
|
2024 |
76 |
|
2025 |
65 |
|
2026 (to date) |
12 |
The State, like any litigant, is entitled to defend its position and the fact that a matter proceeds to court and judgment can be the appropriate approach to take having had regard to legal advice. The State is entitled to rely on the same defences as any other litigant, but where consideration of different defences arises, the State shall consider where the interests of justice lie for all parties before relying on the defence.
148. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason people receiving the back-to-education allowance cannot earn any other income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28875/26]
View answerThe Back to Education Allowance provides income support for jobseekers and others in receipt of certain social welfare payments who pursue full-time courses of education at further or higher level. The focus of the scheme is to assist people enhance their qualifications, thereby improving their chances of securing sustainable employment. The Government has provided over €33.2 million for the scheme in 2026.
Back to Education Allowance claimants are permitted to engage in part-time work during their course but will have their means assessed in accordance with their underlying primary payment.
With respect to claimants claiming Jobseeker's Allowance, Jobseeker's Benefit or Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed), the condition of entitlement that a person must be unemployed for 4 days in any consecutive 7 days does not apply for the period of Back to Education Allowance entitlement. If Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit customers wish to undertake casual or part-time work while in receipt of Back to Education Allowance, they will be facilitated to transfer their underlying payment to Jobseeker's Benefit.
The use of means tests in the social welfare system is a method of targeting scarce resources to those with an identified financial need. Removal of the means test from the underlying payments, would have significant policy and budgetary implications and reduce the scope for my Department to provide income supports to lower income households.
Individuals wishing to undertake employment whilst in receipt of Back to Education should engage with their local Intreo office to assess their options.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
